The annual Fire Prevention week in Okotoks is well underway. An open house Saturday kicked off with plenty of activities for residence to interact with fire personnel and learn more about fire safety in their homes.

Fire Captain Garth Misura says this years theme is "Plan" and the key is for everyone to make a plan to get out of the house in the event of a fire.

"Make a plan and use it. The motto is 'Not Every Hero Wears a Cape'. The goal is so that everybody makes a plan to get out of their house in the event of a fire and then you practice that plan." , Misura says.

The fire department has a full slate of activities planned to help people prepare in case of a fire emergency, including tips on finding the exits in your house for each room and knowing what to do if you go to touch the door and it's hot.

Misura says knowing where to meet up outside is essential to making sure everyone is out of the house.

"When everybody is out you want a meeting spot that is away from the house, its a safe place that everyone knows but not in the way of incoming fire crews. So, standing on the street outside in front of your place is kind of a bad place because fire trucks are coming in."

Having a meeting place out of the way, like a nearby park or a neighbours yard, helps to determine if everyone is accounted for and lets the fire crews know if they need to go back in and look for missing people.

Misura said everyone needs two points of escape from their home and each room of the house. Checking windows to be sure they open easily is especially important for basement windows that can be difficult to open, especially for children. Practicing the exit plan two or three times a year is very important so everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Having your home inspected for fire safety is a great way to help prevent a possible emergency and there is no cost for the home inspection. Captain Misura explains, they look at many areas of a home that people may not even realize are potential fire hazards.

"We'll come to your house, it takes about 15 or 20 minutes. We have a quick look at the house, check your smoke detector and make sure you have a CO detector. We suggest you have a fire extinguisher and tell you where to put it. We look around in your furnace room make sure there is nothing around your furnace and hot water tank or other gas fired appliances."

I's all about checking for the hazards in your home to help prevent a fire and being prepared in the event something does happen.

If residents want to get involved this week, Misura has a few suggestions,

 "They can phone the Fire Hall the north station, during business hours 8 - 4:30 and sign up for a fire inspection, There is a kids colouring contest. Kids can pick up colour sheets at the North Fire hall and the winner becomes Fire Chief for a day, we take them for lunch and they get to ride around in a Fire Truck." The winner of the contest is drawn at the end of the week.

Other events this week include school visits, free fire safety home inspections & media events. 

For more information about the Okotoks Fire Department click here.